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Kurtulmak (pronounced: /ˈkɜːrtʊlmɑːkKUR-tul-mak[13]) was the patron deity of the kobolds; they believed he gave them life and taught them how to survive by stealing, looting, and pillaging. Kobolds often had to compete with gnomes for living space, which fueled an eternal conflict between the races. Kurtulmak was always enraged that the more militarily organized and competent gnomes won most of these clashes over territory.[2] Kobolds that contribute to the survival of their tribe were said to be reincarnated by their deity into one of the eggs in the tribe's hatchery.[14]

By the point of Kurtulmak's spear and the tip of his poisonous tail, I will see every member of your family perish.
— A kobold prayer.[1]

Relationships[]

Kurtulmak was the sworn enemy of Garl Glittergold and the other gnome gods.[3] He was also a sworn enemy of the urd god Kuraulyek, and he was elevated to divinity by the dragon god Asgorath.[15]

Kurtulmak removed himself from infernal politics and was careful to stay out of the way of beings stronger than himself. Various archdukes attempted to curry his favor as an ally in their constant power struggles, and he would accept any and all aid with a gracious smile. He would then proceed to rob them blind, all while fronting as an ally against other powers.[16]

Kurtulmak rarely admitted to his followers that his resident plane had any other major inhabitants, and when forced to admit the truth, he admonished his followers to heed his example regarding forces beyond one's control.[16]

History[]

Kurtulmak is mentioned in the Treatise Historical of the Dragon Tyrants, where he is called the first kobold & first of the dragonspawn. According to the document, around −24,500 DR, Kurtulmak was leader of the kobold nation Darastrixhurthi, a vassal-state in service to his creator, the green dragon Caesinsjach. When the kobolds began enslaving the newly created gnomes & stealing the gemstones that contained their unborn souls, Garl Glittergold intervened by collapsing the mountain Darastrixhurthi was built in (this collapsed mountain eventually became known as the Shadow Sea in Netheril).[15]

Most of the kobolds died, including Kurtulmak, & most of the survivors were killed by Caesinsjach herself, who had been driven mad by the first Rage of Dragons. The dragonwrought kobold Kuraulyek had been ordered to watch for the returning Caesinsjach so that he could warn his people, but instead he escaped with his urds, settling in what would become known as the Thunder Peaks.[15]

The dragon god Asgorath tried making amends for the destruction his children created by raising Kurtulmak to divinity. The newly reborn kobold deity saw Kuraulyek as a traitor & vowed revenge but Asgorath deified him as well so that the remaining survivors of both dragonspawn races, the kobolds & the urds, would have protectors to guide them.[15]

This tale may be somewhat apocryphal, however, since other sources place the First Rage of Dragons five hundred years prior to the creation of the urds.[17]

Rumors and Legends[]

Ascension of Kurtulmak[]

Kurtulmak's rise to divinity is the most venerated legend in kobold society, though each tribe might differ slightly in telling it.[18] It seems to confirm some of what was written in the Treatise Historical of the Dragon Tyrants, however, it is rather biased in favor of the kobolds & their deity, while making a caricature of their gnome enemies.

The legend says Kurtulmak was the first kobold, the largest of his race, & their leader. He obediently served his creator, the dragon Caesinsjach, & when she commanded her kobolds to mine the mountains & gather wealth for her, Kurtulmak invented the pickaxe, taught himself sorcery & minted gold coins in the image of his mistress.[18]

Caesinsjach became the wealthiest dragon of all & in reward for his excellent service, she freed Kurtulmak & the rest of her kobold servants. They followed their heroic leader as he founded his own lair, dug the most advanced mine yet seen to uncover vast riches, & created a 'fortress fit for dragons' called Darastrixhurthi. Apparently the gnome deity Garl Glittergold was envious of the achievements the kobolds had made, which dwarfed those of his own people. Out of spite, he cruelly collapsed the kobold fortress, massacring them all.[18]

The gods were furious but took no action against Garl, The Trickster, who claimed it was all just a joke. Only The Ninefold Dragon, Asgorath took pity on the kobolds & sought restitution on their behalf. He saw that even buried by rubble, Kurtulmak still clung to life, the heroic kobold's soul still fought to free his people. So Asgorath gave Kurtulmak a choice, he could either return to life with the strength to rebuild his fortress, or he could step into divinity & become his peoples' hero for all time.[18]

  • According to another legend, Garl Glittergold stole something from Tiamat's hoard, & Tiamat sent Kurtulmak to retrieve it. Unfortunately for the kobold, the trickster god lured Kurtulmak into a system of caves, which Garl escaped from & collapsed, leaving Kurtulmak trapped for eternity.[3]
  • Another myth says Kurtulmak stole the gift of sorcery from a dragon deity to give to his people.[3]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

Kurtulmak means "To be saved" in Turkish.[19]

Appearances[]

Video Games
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Kolja Raven Liquette (2006). Races of the Dragon. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 48–49. ISBN 0-7869-3913-3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Roger E. Moore (July 1982). “Point of View: The humanoids – Goals and gods of the kobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, & gnolls”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #63 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 25–32.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Rich Redman, James Wyatt (May 2001). Defenders of the Faith. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 93. ISBN 0-7869-1840-3.
  4. Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 176. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
  5. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 195. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  6. Mike Mearls, et al. (November 2016). Volo's Guide to Monsters. Edited by Jeremy Crawford, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 63–66. ISBN 978-0786966011.
  7. Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 147–148. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
  8. Kolja Raven Liquette (2006-04-20). Kobolds: Playing to Their Strengths (Zipped PDF). Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-10.
  9. Hal Maclean (September 2004). “Seven Deadly Domains”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #323 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 65.
  10. Carl Sargent (May 1992). Monster Mythology. (TSR, Inc), p. 44. ISBN 1-5607-6362-0.
  11. Carl Sargent (May 1992). Monster Mythology. (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 1-5607-6362-0.
  12. Carl Sargent (May 1992). Monster Mythology. (TSR, Inc), p. 176. ISBN 1-5607-6362-0.
  13. Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 28.
  14. Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Kolja Raven Liquette (2006). Races of the Dragon. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 44. ISBN 0-7869-3913-3.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 9. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 112. ISBN 0880383992.
  17. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 10. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Kolja Raven Liquette (2006). Races of the Dragon. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 50–51. ISBN 0-7869-3913-3.
  19. https://translate.google.com/#tr/en/kurtulmak

Connections[]

Miscellaneous Monster Deities
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